The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday, Feb. 4, edition that Citi analyst Jon Tower is maintaining his "neutral" call on Restaurant Brands International. The Globe's David Leeder writes that Mr. Tower knocked his share target back by $2 to $72 (all figures U.S.). Analysts on average target the shares at $79. Mr. Tower says in a note: "The company has demonstrated an ability to improve franchisee profitability in core home markets across the portfolio, and we expect this broadly continues, along with strong unit growth for Burger King International, ramping of PLK brand globally and solid comp growth at Tim Hortons Canada. However, limited visibility into the economics of nascent businesses outside core markets means it is difficult to underwrite NRG (new restaurant growth) returning to and sustaining at more than 5 per cent and layering this into valuation. At the same time, we see above-average room for near- to medium-term estimate volatility related to the Burger King U.S. brand repositioning/reinvestment, particularly as the competitive set ramps promotional activity to drive traffic." Mr. Tower thinks the company is on track to hit its 8-per-cent adjusted operating income growth target for the year.